Santana Injury Brings Quick Woe for Thrift

By MICHAEL MARTINEZ, Special to the New York Times

Published: March 22, 1989

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 21—
Syd Thrift, named today as the Yankees' senior vice president of baseball operations, stepped out of George Steinbrenner's rented car and stepped immediately into his first problem: what to do about the team's spring of injuries, including the one that struck Rafael Santana on Monday.

Santana, the Yankees' starting shortstop, revealed today that he reinjured his right elbow during an exhibition game and said that he may require surgery.

''There's pain now, the same as last year,'' said Santana, who first suffered the injury last June, then played most of the second half of the season with discomfort.

Santana was examined today by Dr. Dan Kanell, the team's physician in spring training, and said that X-rays were taken. Manager Dallas Green, after meeting today with the shortstop, said Santana would visit Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed the tendon operation on Tommy John in 1974. Santana is to see Jobe in Vero Beach Wednesday. Looking to Blauser Again

The shortstop problem is likely to be the first one Thrift has to consider. With Santana sidelined indefinitely - and with Wayne Tolleson, his backup, out with a strained right hamstring - the Yankees will undoubtedly attempt to resume talks with the Atlanta Braves for their shortstop, Jeff Blauser.

The two teams reportedly had the deal completed, but the Yankees pulled out to pursue an outfielder to replace Dave Winfield, who may need surgery to repair a disk problem. They acquired Mel Hall from Cleveland on Sunday.

Now, to make the Blauser deal, the Yankees may have to give up more than just Roberto Kelly. The Braves were at first willing to accept Kelly and Randy Velarde, but they may also want Bernie Williams, the team's minor league jewel.

The deal still could come off, though. Bobby Cox, the Atlanta general manager, called off a trip and is expected to meet with Yankee management Wednesday morning.

The Yankees have suddenly been beset by injuries this spring. In addition to Santana, Tolleson and Winfield, Ron Guidry is out for at least two months after arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his left elbow. And John Candelaria, who had fluid drained from his right knee two weeks ago, pitched tonight for the first time since March 5.

''I wonder if this is M*A*S*H or the New York Yankees,'' Thrift said, laughing.

Steinbrenner said he made the administrative move as part of his reorganization of the club. Bob Quinn will remain general manager and vice president, although his duties will be limited to administrative tasks. Thrift now will be in control of trades.

''It's too much for one man,'' Steinbrenner said of the job of general manager. ''One man can't do it all. It hasn't been that way for the last 25 years.''

Then, with Thrift at his side and Quinn standing two feet behind them, Steinbrenner said, ''The fellow who will be less involved than ever will be me.''

But the owner said he still intended to be consulted on all moves.

''Syd and Bob and Dallas Green will pretty much make the moves,'' said Steinbrenner. ''I'll ask to know what's happening, and I would hope they would run things by me so I don't have to read about them in the paper.''

Thrift, who was the Pittsburgh Pirates' general manager before he was dismissed at the end of last season, said he was approached by Steinbrenner about the position last week. He said he had agreed to a contract, but he would not reveal its length.

Thrift is regarded as a capable trader, and Steinbrenner was reportedly unhappy with Quinn's attempts to plug holes in what appears to be a team in trouble. Thrift took the Pirates to an 85-75 record last year, acquiring such players as Doug Drabek and Brian Fisher from the Yankees, Andy Van Slyke from the St. Louis Cardinals and Bobby Bonilla from the Chicago White Sox.

Thrift, however, ran into problems with the Pirates' ownership, leading to his sudden dismissal during the off season.

Quinn, who said he has known Thrift for 20 years, insisted he was not upset over his apparent loss of duties.

''I just feel that George wanted to bring in a fellow of Syd's ingenuity and creativity,'' he said. ''He's a visionary in the game, and he knows baseball talent extremely well.''

Thrift has earlier ties to the Yankees. He was a left-handed pitcher in the organization in 1949 and later spent time as a part-time scout.

''It took me 40 years to finally make this team,'' he said.

Thrift and Quinn spent about three hours Monday night discussing the team's needs, but Thrift said today he was unprepared to address his first moves.

''My first priority will be to get to know all the players and to meet with Dallas Green,'' he said. ''The most important thing is to know where you are and what you have.''

What he has, though, is a club full of injuries. Santana's makes the Yankees even more desperate for help, leaving them with Velarde as their only available shortstop.

Santana said he thought his elbow give him problems on a double-play throw in the fifth inning Monday.

''I relayed the ball to first, and the pain came back,'' he said. ''I felt some tightness, but it wasn't real bad, so I went home. Then it got real painful.'' Possible Bone Chip

Santana said he believed there was a bone chip lodged in the ligament on the inside of the elbow. But he said that he was told at the end of last season by Dr. Stuart Hershon, the Yankees' physician, that surgery was not necessary. He treated the injury with anti-inflammatory medication and appeared to be throwing without trouble this spring.

Asked if he thought he could play with chronic pain this season, Santana said: ''I don't want to do that because I don't want to look bad out there. I'm not going to help the team like that.''

Meanwhile, Winfield continued visiting with specialists on the West Coast who could advise him on his bad back. Jeff Klein, the outfielder's attorney, said today that Winfield had accepted the fact he may need an operation.

The results did not please him, but the knee did. Candelaria said his right knee, which had to be drained March 8 and kept him on the side for 16 days, felt fine Tuesday night after he pitched three innings against the Baltimore Orioles. But the left-hander had a rough time, giving up home runs to Cal Ripken, Randy Milligan and Phil Bradley in the Yankees' 8-5 loss. ''I didn't pitch well,'' he said, ''but my knee didn't hurt. I just took a beating out there.''. . . Earlier Tuesday, the Yankees dropped an 8-6 decision to the Mets at Port St. Lucie. Tommy John gave up two runs in six innings, while Bob Ojeda, the Met starter, allowed nine hits and four runs in six.